Afterwards in a statement and ITV spokesman said: "Coronation Street and Michael Le Vell have mutually agreed that he will take a break from the programme while he seeks professional help for personal issues."

Le Vell, 49, who is expected to return to the ITV show this month, said: “The first time I ever did cocaine was in the lead up to my trial.”

"I never thought that I was the sort of bloke who would like cocaine. But it was moments of weakness when I was at the lowest ebb of my life" (Image: Julian Hamilton / Daily Mirror)

Coke shame: 'I had never felt so low – I knew I was innocent but everything was closing in on me and when someone offered them to me, I just agreed' (Image: Julian Hamilton / Daily Mirror)

He told the Sunday Mirror: “I had never felt so low – I knew I was innocent but everything was closing in on me and when someone offered them to me, I just agreed.”

The trial saw Le Vell open up about his alcohol consumption, with the actor admitting he contacted Alcoholics Anonymous after developing a habit where he drank up to nine pints every night.

He also admitted taking the drug after he was cleared, but said he stopped before returning to play Kevin Webster, the mechanic in the soap.